Several distinct nursing career options are available in North Carolina. Each nursing role carries a unique set of educational training and licensure requirements.
Registered nurse
North Carolina
We've organized a comprehensive list of North Carolina nursing schools. Below you'll find information on specific nursing programs such as LPN certificates and ADN, BSN, and MSN degrees. You'll also find a profile of nursing education and careers in each major North Carolina city.
Students interested in becoming a certified nursing assistant (CNA) can enroll in a short qualification course, which typically lasts just a few weeks. CNAs must possess good communication abilities in addition to manual dexterity. There are many different programs available, so it is important for an aspiring CNA to choose the right one.
The responsibilities of a nursing assistant
Students wishing to qualify as licensed practical nurses (LPNs) may enroll in a certificate program at one of North Carolina’s community colleges. These programs are fairly brief, typically 12 to 18 months in length. There are over 40 LPN certificate programs available throughout the state, so students have a broad menu of options from which to choose.
LPN certificate programs
Registered nurses (RNs) play a fundamental role in the North Carolina healthcare system. They make critical decisions regarding patient care, supervise more junior nurses, and train other healthcare professionals. Students wishing to qualify as RNs typically pursue either an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN). Prospective RNs must also pass the NCLEX-RN national licensure examination before practicing in North Carolina.
Bachelor’s degree programs
Charlotte’s aspiring nurses can achieve licensure through a variety of education pathways. Each pathway is specific to one of the four major nursing roles.
Certified nursing assistant
North Carolina school overviews
North Carolina nursing programs and careers
City-specific information
A master of science in nursing (MSN) program enables registered nurses who already hold a bachelor’s degree to pursue graduate study. An MSN program qualifies its graduates to work as advanced practice registered nurse (APRNs) in specialized roles like nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, and nurse anesthetist.
APRN specializations
Many healthcare employers are demonstrating an increasing preference for registered nurses (RNs) who hold a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN). This shift is intended to meet the demands of a rapidly expanding U.S. healthcare sector, which is posing more unique challenges to workers. North Carolina’s nursing schools have responded by offering RN-to-BSN completion programs. These enable existing RNs with an associate’s degree or hospital diploma to earn their BSN degree in a streamlined manner.
Advantages of a BSN
The demand for registered nurses (RNs) who hold a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) is on the rise. Healthcare employers are increasingly preferencing BSN-holders in hiring and promotion decisions. For example, the U.S. Army and Navy have already mandated that all employed RNs hold a BSN. This ensures that their nurses hold a broad skill set and can tackle a wide variety of healthcare issues in their line of work.
The types of BSN program
The demand by healthcare employers for registered nurses (RNs) is rapidly increasing. Many students choose to enroll in associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) programs so that they can enter the workforce quickly. Although the ADN curriculum is less comprehensive than a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree program, it still adequately prepares students for the NCLEX-RN national licensure examination and subsequent employment.
Education pathways
Registered nurses (RNs) play a fundamental role in the North Carolina healthcare system. They make critical decisions regarding patient care, supervise more junior nurses, and train other healthcare professionals. Students wishing to qualify as RNs typically pursue either an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN). Prospective RNs must also pass the NCLEX-RN national licensure examination before practicing in North Carolina.
Bachelor’s degree programs
Students wishing to qualify as licensed practical nurses (LPNs) may enroll in a certificate program at one of North Carolina’s community colleges. These programs are fairly brief, typically 12 to 18 months in length. There are over 40 LPN certificate programs available throughout the state, so students have a broad menu of options from which to choose.
LPN certificate programs
Students interested in becoming a certified nursing assistant (CNA) can enroll in a short qualification course, which typically lasts just a few weeks. CNAs must possess good communication abilities in addition to manual dexterity. There are many different programs available, so it is important for an aspiring CNA to choose the right one.
The responsibilities of a nursing assistant
Many aspiring nurses keep a close eye on the cost of attending nursing school. The all-in cost of enrollment is comprised of several distinct components, which we profile below.
Tuition
Public colleges and universities receive subsidies from the state government. Hence, they are able to offer state residents significantly lower tuition fees than private schools. Public institutions are a good option for students concerned about the financial costs of nursing education.
Public nursing schools in North Carolina
Many of North Carolina’s public colleges and universities are very large in size, with student enrollments in the tens of thousands. They are thus well-known by the state’s nursing employers, who hold them in high esteem.
Well over 150,000 nurses are employed in North Carolina. These nurses fill a variety of roles in both the private and public sectors. For example, consider two of the state’s largest nursing employers: Tenet Health and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Tenet Health delivers high-quality healthcare in a hospital setting, while the Department of Veterans Affairs focuses on veteran welfare and benefits administration.
Nursing roles